Sophie retreats one last time into the Danny Casey fantasy. Unable to cope with the sadness and disappointment in her life, she projects herself onto the footballer, imagining qualities (shy, gentle, “innocent genius” who is no greater than herself) that could apply to her, too. She thinks back to his goal in the game that made her family so happy, as it seems to be the only thing that would garner their approval and celebration. Even in her vivid imagination, there is no room for her to be accepted for who she is, and no path to gain her family’s admiration—she imagines herself as Danny Casey because it seems like the only way to envision pleasing them.